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Durabuilt Windows & Doors' Black Hybridex 910 series provides a rich black exterior with energy-efficient PVC on the inside. connected corners as well, which are initially ine for testing standards, but become less effective at keeping out air and water over time as the building naturally shifts and settles. The uPVC in a hybrid not only makes it more resilient overall, it allows the pro iles to be welded without mechanical connections and also come with acrylic foil laminates including EuroWood inishes instead of paint. This weld will repel air and water as long as the building is standing. Another important feature of the hybrid window is its cost-effectiveness. "The key difference is that this ibreglass is so strong, we don't need the steel that is included in other window types," says Godin. "This not only reduces the weight of the window, and reduces the thermal bridge, but is less expensive to 30/ AUGUST 2012 p.24-33Windows.indd 30 manufacture by avoiding the use of steel. The result is a better, stronger, greener window for the same price as steel-reinforced uPVC ." At present, EuroLine offers picture windows, tilt and turn, swing doors, and tilt and glide doors as ibreglass hybrids. "Casement and awning windows are still the norm in North America," Godin notes, "and we are working on having those available in the near future." Colour Me Beautiful At Durabuilt Windows & Doors, there has been a signi icant shift towards aluminum-clad windows, according to Alison Smith, senior marketer for the Edmonton-based company. Durabuilt offers two hybrid solutions that both feature fully integrated aluminum on the outside of a PVC core, and either PVC or wood on the inside. "There's been a nearly 30 per cent increase in demand for this type of product over the past two years," she says. "It gives consumers the opportunity to use richer colours like black, commercial brown and earth tones, as well as anodized aluminum windows that provide a modern metallic inish and even wood grain aluminum inishes that replicate true wood." The 24-year-old company – whose sales are primarily in Western Canada – will be releasing its next generation of Hybridex and Tri-Bridex windows in the near future. "Both products are being reengineered to provide superior ratings, better performance and structural strength," says Smith. Builders are also slowly moving away from traditional white windows, she says, and even in the speculative stages of new home development, designers and spec writers are approaching Durabuilt to ind out about trends in window colours, grille con igurations and designs. Up to 70 per cent of homeowners looking to upgrade their windows are choosing triple pane as they become more knowledgeable about energy ef iciency. "They're taking more time to select a lifelong product that will give them the best performance over the long term," Smith explains. "It helps them save on their heating and cooling costs all year round, and we're seeing that shift to triple pane in the new home market now as well, as people begin to truly understand its value." A few years ago only ive to 10 per cent of homeowners were choosing triple pane, but that number is also jumping in recent months. Residential Windows 7/13/12 10:03 AM